St Catherines Out Of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and enthusiastic on their arrival to the setting.

They choose where to play and spend time completing games and challenges. For example, children work as a team to carefully balance blocks to build tall towers. They cheer with delight when they roll cars into the tower to demolish it.

Children have lovely relationships with staff and are greeted warmly as they approach different activities.Children understand what is expected of them and follow rules extremely well. They independently complete tasks and consistently use manners.

Children respect one another and are kind. Older children help youn...ger children to wash their hands before eating. The setting operates a 'buddy' system where the oldest children help their new friends settle in and spend time playing with them.

This helps children quickly feel safe and secure in their new surroundings. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, staff noted a difference in how children socialised. Children sometimes found it hard to mix with others outside of their 'bubble'.

Staff have worked hard to provide sociable activities and encourage children to interact with others. As a result, children happily mix with their peers and visitors to the club. Children are content and confident.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

Staff support children to develop learning in a variety of ways. For example, children compare large numbers when they play with cards and learn strategies to win the game. Children develop good problem-solving and thinking skills.

Parents have good relationships with staff in the setting and are happy with the care they provide for their children. They have daily discussions about their children with staff. Parents are informed about the wide variety of activities children have enjoyed and the range of healthy food they have been offered.

Parents are extremely appreciative and pleased to use the service and do so for many years. The care provided for children is consistently good.The manager is passionate about improving staff's skills in order to have a positive impact and benefit children the most.

She has recently registered with an online training platform to help staff develop more knowledge that may relate to individual children in the setting. For example, staff have learned more about how to identify the potential traits of a range of learning difficulties. This helps them respond to signs quickly in order to seek support for all children.

Children learn about current world issues and cultures within the community. For example, they create displays when they research topics such as Pride and the war in Ukraine. This helps them develop an awareness of people's differences and backgrounds.

Children are prepared for their life in modern Britain.Children access the large school playground throughout the sessions in the club. They play group games such as football and enjoy running around in the large open space.

Children occasionally take part in morning yoga or dance activities. The manager has planned these sessions to help awaken children's minds as well as their bodies. This has helped them become focused before their school day and supports their learning.

Staff plan areas of the setting carefully to suit children's varying needs and interests. Children spend time being creative and using pens to make intricate marks and pictures for the display boards. This helps their writing skills emerge and is consistent with their school learning.

Additionally, children can access books if they wish to be quiet and practise their reading. This helps them to continue their literacy development.Staff work within the school where children attend as well as in the club.

They assist children in class and recognise their individuality. Staff tailor conversations in order for each child to feel valued. They know each child well.

This helps them meet children's needs swiftly. Additionally, it enables staff to recognise any potential gaps in development or well-being concerns.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders and staff know how to identify symptoms of child abuse and know where to report these issues. They encourage children to be emotionally secure and talk about their feelings and any worries with ease. Additionally, children learn how to keep themselves safe.

They complete daily checks of their outdoor area with an adult to make sure it is suitable to play in. There is an adequate number of staff with paediatric first aid on site at all times. Staff know how to deal with accidents and report these back to parents.

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